Suburb comparison
Merewether vs Newcastle: which Sydney suburb suits you?
The key differences: Newcastle is $100/wk cheaper per week to rent; Merewether has more schools within the postcode. The table below covers all available metrics.
Last refreshed May 2026 (most cards). Per-card sources show exact dates.
Newcastle
Merewether
2291
Newcastle
Newcastle
2300
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Merewether | Newcastle |
|---|---|---|
SAFETYSafety Even (1 each) | ||
| Sub-grade | C+▲(0) | C(0) |
| Flood zone coverage | — | — |
| Bushfire zone coverage | 48.7% | 0.8%▲ |
FAMILYFamily Even (1 each) | ||
| Sub-grade | C+(0) | B▲(0) |
| SEIFA advantage decile | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Schools in postcode | 4▲ | 1 |
FINANCEFinance | ||
| Sub-grade | insufficient | insufficient |
| Median house price | — | — |
| Median unit price | — | — |
| Median weekly rent | $750/wk | $650/wk |
| Annual price growth | — | — |
LIFESTYLELifestyle Newcastle leads on 2 of 2 | ||
| Sub-grade | C-(0) | B+▲(1) |
| Walkability percentile | 16 | 85▲ |
Median prices show levels, not better-or-worse for a buyer. See the suburb pages for context.
Which suits you?
Choose Merewether if...
- School options within walking distance matter
Tied on Safety, Family.
Choose Newcastle if...
- Newcastle leads on Lifestyle
- You are renting first and want lower weekly outgoings
Tied on Safety, Family.
One email with the verdict. No follow-ups, no newsletter.
Common questions
- Is Merewether or Newcastle more expensive?
- Price data varies — check each suburb's page for the latest figures.
- Which is better for renters — Merewether or Newcastle?
- Median weekly rent is $750/wk in Merewether and $650/wk in Newcastle, making Newcastle the more affordable rental market.
- Is Merewether or Newcastle at higher flood risk?
- Flood mapping coverage varies by postcode — see the flood risk pages for both suburbs for authoritative NSW data.
- How many schools are in Merewether vs Newcastle?
- Merewether has 4 schools in the postcode, and Newcastle has 1. Note that school catchments can extend across postcode boundaries.
Full suburb profiles